UK pet industry toasts a successful year at PetQuip awards event

Published: 2 October 2018 - Kiran Grewal

Around 200 luminaries representing the UK and international retailer and supplier pet sector attended the 2018 PetQuip Awards & Dinner party held on 23 September. The sixth edition of this annual event took place in the Ludlow Suite at the Telford International Centre during the PATS Telford pet trade exhibition. The organisers were pleased to take part in the awards evening by announcing the PATS New Product awards prior to the PetQuip Awards presentations.

The PetQuip awards, presented by Pat Flynn, PetQuip trade association manager and Amanda Sizer Barrett MBE, director general of the PetQuip association, included eight gold and eight silver medals, plus six highly commended awards and a special Lifetime Achievement Award for John James of James & Steel.

Reacting to Group 55’s double win, Stephen Turner said: "To win both of these prestigious awards – Business of the Year and Exporter of the Year – is amazing. It's the ultimate recognition for the work we do. It couldn't be achieved without a fantastic team."

In the citation announcing John James as the Lifetime Achievement award recipient, Amanda Sizer Barrett said: “The winner of this year’s PetQuip Lifetime Achievement Award is a trader par excellence, a man who loves the pet trade and all the camaraderie of pet trade shows. He has been working in the pet trade since his mid twenties, promoting pet products throughout the world in the ‘80s as European sales director for a well known brand.

“In the nineties he decided to try his hand at running his own business, starting from his garden shed. It is now an established family business trading via distributors throughout the world.

“This distinguished man is well liked and respected by his suppliers, many of whom are here tonight.”

Amanda Sizer Barrett then cited numerous plaudits received from across the trade for John James, including: ‘A true gentleman and a passionate advocate for the pet trade, congratulations’ and ‘I have worked with this man for many years, he is as straight as a die and a pleasure to deal with’. She concluded:

“The team here at PetQuip feel that special recognition for John should also include being one of the best partners we have ever had the pleasure to share the dance floor with!”

John James was thrilled at the surprise announcement, he said: "I had no idea this was going to happen. It's a very humbling experience and one I will treasure. It is wonderful to be recognised in this way."